Flexible-propeller-shaft coupling for toy aeroplanes



Marc'h.3, 1931. R. T. DANIEL 1,795,165

FLEXIBLE PROPELLER SHAFT COUPLING FOR TOY AEROPLANES Eiled July 29. 1929 IN VEN TOR. fi/lLE/GH 71 DAN/EL.

construction as to Patented Mar. 3, 1931 NETE:

RALEIGH 'I. DANIEL, OF LOUISA, VIRGINIA Application filed July 29, 1929. Serial No. 382,015.

This invention appertains to toy aeroplanes and more particularly to the propeller.

shaft thereof.

In order to have a true running and eac cient propeller, it is necessary that the propeller shaft be journaled in a solid stationary bearing. Howevenit frequently occurs with all types of models, that during the operation of flight, the propeller will strike against 19 some solid object. Thus, the propeller shaft is sprung or bent, after which it is almost lmpossible to true 1t up again. This mishap may occur wlth the same shaft a sufficient number of times to cause the shaft to finally snap 0E. No model, no matter how well constructed, is immune to such an accident to its propeller and shaft.

It is therefore a prime object of this invention to provide a novel means for construct- 20 ing the propeller shaft, whereby the-shaft is permitted to flex or give when the propeller strikes an object, thereby effectively preventing the proper flight of the toy aeroplane at all times.

Another important object of my invention is the provision of novel means for forming a flexible coupling in the propeller shaft of a toy aeroplane, the coupling being of such a permit the easy assembling thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved flexible propeller shaft for aeroplanes of the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be incorporated with a toy aeroplane at a very low cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which drawing Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a toy aeroplane showing the improved coupling incorporated in the propeller shaft thereof;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 illus- 1ng injury to the propeller shaft and insur- I trating the construction of the coupling;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of one of the members of the flexible coupling;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the companion coupling member;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective View of the attaching bracket for connecting the propel ler with one of the coupling members or 'sections, and

Figure 6 is a detail view with the propeller shaft in section illustrating the resilient means employed for connecting the shaft sections together. 1

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters. designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 generally indicates a propeller shaft of a toy aeroplane B, the construction of which forms the subject matter of another application for patent filed by me of an even date herewith.

The propeller shaft 10 is driven from any preferred type of spring or rubber motor and can be driven from my novel rubberband motor partially shown in the drawings indicated by the reference character .11, the motor forming the subject matter ofanother application for patent file'dby me of even date hereof. V

The aeroplane B embodies a front stationary nose plate or bulkhead 12 which in the present instance includes a laminated wood disk 13 having secured to its opposite faces aluminum disks 14 and 15.. These disks are provided with bearings 16 for receiving if the propeller shaft 10, which extends axially through the front nose plate or bulkhead 12. The propellershaft 10, in accordance with my invention, includes an outer section 17 and an inner section 18, and these sections are connected by my novel shaft cou pling 19.

The shaft coupling 19 includes a pair of companion disk shaped members 20 and 21 each of which includes oppositely extending hub portions 22 which are keyed, soldered or otherwise secured to their respective shaft sections 17 and 18. The forward face of the coupling section 21 is provided with a circu lar recess'23 which receives the circular boss and 2 2-1 formed on the front coupling section 20. The section 20 is provided with inwardly directed openings 25 on opposite sides of he propeller shaft section 17 and these openings are adapted to receive pins 26 soldered or otherwise secured to the coupling section 21. The pins 26 engaging the walls of the openings 25 set up a drivii 3; connection between the shaft sections 1'? and 18. The forward end of the shaft section 1'? receives the propeller 21" which may be formed of wood or metal just as desired. A suitable clip 28 is employed for connecting the propeller to th hub 22 of the coupling section 20 and i.

clip includes a diametricall extending body portion 2 having laterally extend which are embedded in an: secured propeller The central portion plate 29 is pro ided with an opening 31 for receiving the propeller shaft section 1? and this plate 29 can be soldered or otherwise secured to the hub I preferably connect the coupling sectic 20 and 21 together by resilient or eh 1c means and as shown in the drawings, a rubher band is employed for this purpose. This rubber band, indicated by the reference character 32, is secured to the hub of the section 21 and is then wrapped around the coupling sections 20 and 21 and finally secured to the hub 22 of the section 20.

It is obvious from this construction that when the aeroplane is in flight, and the i ropeller strikes an object, the shaft is permitted to give or flex due to the coupling sections 20 and 21 and the resilient connection thereof. Thus, no harm will result to thepropeller shaft from this cause and the rubber band can be readily replaced when the same wears out.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided a novel means for eHect-ively protecting the shaft of atoy aeroplane against injury incident to the propeller striking an objectwhile the aeroplane is in flight.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but:

\Vhat I claim as new is:

1. In a toy aeroplane, a propeller shaft including a pair of sections, a coupling for connecting said sections together including a pair of companion disks secured respectively to the shaft sections, one of the disks having a circular recess and the other a circular boss fitted in said recess provided with openin s arranged on opposite sides of the propeller shaft, pins carried by the other coupling section received in said opening, a propeller on one of the shaft sections, means for securing the propeller to the adjacent coupling section, and a rubber band connecting the coupling sections together.

2. In a toy aeroplane, a propeller shaft ineluding a pair of sections, a disk carried by each section normally having mutual uniform contact with each other throughout their adjacent faces, and releasable means for norly holding said disks in contacting relation.

3. In a toy aeroplane, a propeller shaft including a pair of sections, a disk carried by each section normally having mutual uni form contact with each other throughout their adjacent faces, and yieldable means for normally holding said disks in contacting relation;

l. In a toy aeroplane, a propeller shaft in eluding a pair of sections, a disk carried by each section normally having mutual. uniform contact with each other throughout their adj acent faces, and elastic means passing around and over said disks for yieldably and normally holding said disks in contacting relation.

5. In a toy aeroplane, a propeller shaft including a pair of se tions, a disk carried by each section normally havin mutual uniform cont-act with each other throughout their adjacent faces, the acent faces of said disks inter-fitting and means for yieldably and normally holding said disks in contacting rela tion.

6. In a toy aeroplane, a propeller shaft in cluding a pair of sections, a disk carried by each section, each disk provided with an irregular contacting surface and adapted to inter-slit, and means for yieldably holding the inter-fitting faces of said disks in mutual uni form contact with each other throughout their adjacent faces.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

RALEIGH T. DANIEL 

